Regenerated In The Grave - Bulldozer

Advantages: Great songs, vocals, lyrics, music
Disadvantages: Some dodgy recording on a tight budget

...we've progressed Oh, they would be horrified To see what we've done to their green land" A change of pace follows for the next two songs. First, "Sometimes", a mid tempo song played by just an acoustic guitar. The lyrics are personal and self analytical. For a long time this was my least favourite song on the album, but over the years it has grown on me. This is followed by the short and beautiful "Dancing for Sixpence", picked on a twelve string acoustic guitar, with a backing melody played on another acoustic. The pace picks back up with "Rapunzel", starting with a happy and cheerful exchange between the guitar and a violin, a generally happy, poppy, cheerful song. This is then followed by the opposite; "Goodbye Twyford" is a short, dark, sinister, lament to the lost lands, the green earth lost to the JCBs and bulldozers, which ends... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Some pretty good tracks
Disadvantages: Its very different to the Divine comedies other stuff

...It's been three years since Fin De Siècle, and in this time, things have changed. Neil Hannon has left Setenta for Parlophone, he has got rid of his dark suits and ties, and, for the first time, The Divine Comedy is not a one-man band anymore. Although the man is still in charge of the compositions, he now has the humility to let others interfere with his music. With Regeneration, Neil Hannon strips his lyrical compositions to the bone. Left is the spinal cord of his talent: perfect pop melodies and quintessential song writing. Gone are the Scott Walker influences, the string quartets of the early days or the large formations of the later years - Joby Talbot is still in charge of the string section, but is, this time, very much in the background -, in are simple guitar and piano lines and a more classic pop/rock structure. Hannon... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: More of those unmistakable great numbers.
Disadvantages: my dad described the album as "depressing!!" but what does he know?

...Neil Hannon told me on stage at Liverpool that the band wanted to get back to their old style and had got carried away during recent albums. Thus "regeneration" was born. Having got all their other albums, and having heard "casanova" and "fin de siecle" this is really quite placid and gentle in comparison. But that essential captivating quality is still there from the group who always seem to get it right no matter what they turn their hand too. Indie fans will love this album and die hard fans such as myself will equally enjoy it. Don't expect full orchestral or heavy bass incidental music here, just the basics with some excellent guitar tunes. the best tracks are in my opinion "Bad ambassador", "perfect lovesong", "love what you do" and my favourite, "mastermind". The title track, "regeneration" is also a catchy and memorable song... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful